Is your pool an energy hog?

Are you concerned about rising energy prices? We can understand if you are. Inflation  seems to be showing no end in slowing down. One area where you might think to save  money is in your pool. After all, with all of the bells and whistles that a pool has, it’s not  unfair to ask, “Is my pool an energy hog?”  

Before we answer that, know that a qualified pool electrician will be focused on the  safety of your family when they install your above or in-ground pool. However, there are  several things to consider that might increase your specific pool’s power usage. 

First, be aware of phantom power 

Mind you, we’re not talking about true ghosts and goblins. Rather, the analogy might  be more apt if we called it “gremlin power” — but we’ll cut to the chase. 

Everything that’s plugged in draws power. Period. 

If an appliance or fixture is turned on, it’s drawing even more power. Even in a turned off state, some things still draw power. And, as energy commodities are volatile, one  way some homeowners look to save money is by eliminating this “phantom power”  draw. 

Trying to save money 

That’s the purpose of unplugging these various appliances when they’re not in use.  Take a mental walk through your kitchen. Your stove, your microwave, and probably  even your coffee pot all have some kind of LED screen. Most likely, they’re showing the  time. 

However, they’re also drawing power to do so. Some internet-connected devices draw  even more power as their internal software downloads firmware updates.  

The role of pool electrician 

So is your pool an energy hog? Before we can answer that, let’s talk about the role of a  pool electrician. We already stated that they will be focused on the safety of your  family. When they ran the power lines from your pool to your home, they ensured that  your home had the right kind of electrical panel and sub-panels to properly supply your  home. 

One thing they may also have discussed with you is how often you should run your  home. Although these numbers can vary, a good rule of thumb is that your pool’s pump  could run for as little as six hours per day to keep your water clean and clear. If it runs  24 hours a day, 365 days per year, then your pool may very well be an energy hog.  

Secondary reasons why your pool could be an energy hog 

Of course, your pump isn’t the only thing that keeps your pool going. Underwater LED  lights draw power, even if they’re relatively efficient. And while your deck is technically  its own fixture, it’s still a part of your pool setup. Anything electrical on it can also draw  power.

One way to save money is to only use these when — you guessed it — the pool is in  use. 

A variable speed pump installed by a pool electrician 

Another solution we haven’t mentioned is to install a variable-speed pump. This is one  way to stop your pool from becoming an energy hog. It’ll run at various speeds  throughout the day, keeping your water clean while reducing your energy usage. 

And of course, if you have questions about your pool’s energy efficiency, let us know.  As a certified pool electrician serving Columbus, Ohio, we’re here to help. Contact our  team via phone at 614-206-5401 or send us a quick note HERE through our contact  form.